Chapter Six: A Sick Princess and Contenders for Her Heart

Chapter Six

A Sick Princess and Contenders for Her Heart

He gripped his mug of hot malt in the coldness of the morning. The pauper woke up early disturbed by the dream he had. He dreamt of Alythia and the man with her. It has an appearance of a royalty, and he surmised that it is her father. The pauper asked if it is indeed her father. Realizing that she has not introduced the pauper to his father, he readily acquainted the former, Lord Demas, to the latter. It appeared true but it was surreal.

He readied himself and set out for work. Some of his fellow laborers greeted him upon seeing him. They observed that there is something special in him these past weeks that makes his countenance glow. Some inferred that he is in love, and they teased him. He burst in laughter. One of their fellows, Kinsley, a servant commissioned from Shin Manor, was not aware that the pauper is planning to woo Alythia.

He is quite close to the princess and he mentioned that there are young men he knew who are also planning to woo her. Kinsley also said to the pauper that he will have a hard time pursuing the princess because she came from Charisleb. It is well known that their people do not intermarry with citizens from another kingdom.

These things troubled the pauper. Small comfort from a fellow he thought would give him the best encouragement. This caused the pauper to be distressed almost all throughout the day. He tried to focus his thoughts in his work but he often caught himself thinking of Alythia.

It was midday already when he saw the princess. She pointed her fingers to her throat and nose. He did not understand the gesture she made. So she beckoned him to go nearer. The pauper promptly obeyed and went to her direction. “I am sick, sir.” She whispered. “I can’t speak well because my voice had become hoarse.”

She appeared exhausted. “I will just eat in Potsherd Tavern and then I’ll go home to rest.” She told the pauper.

He went to the Chamber of Annals to know the latest reports from the herald. But he was not concentrating on the reports. He is anxious of the princess’ health. He went out of the Chamber of Annals and went to the tavern and asked if he could bring her home because he would pass by their villa on his way to the trade fair. He said that he needs to acquire some tools there. Alythia agreed.

The princess was too weak. The pauper strained his mind because he doesn’t own a carriage. He could have brought the princess speedily to their villa but they would have to walk to the main thoroughfare to get a common carriage. They were walking under the heat of the scorching sun when the Royal Carriage of Shin Manor passed by.

It stopped. A familiar face went out of the carriage’s window. It was Alfric Horus.

“Where are you going, my lady Alythia?” Alfric shouted.

Alythia managed to raise her voice and told him she’s going home.

“I’m sorry but we are going the other way, maybe next time.” Alfric yelled back. And he went inside and the Royal Carriage went its way.

The pauper cannot understand why but he was quite jealous of Alfric. He became suspicious of Alfric. He was reminded of Kinsley’s remark. He dismissed the thought and alerted himself on getting a common carriage. He wanted to ease the discomfort that the princess is feeling by at least giving her a comfortable ride.

A few more minutes and a carriage came their way. He beckoned it.

On their way to the villa, he admonished the princess to rest well. They reached the villa.

“I really appreciate your concern and your willingness to bring me home with a carriage.” Then the princess quickly went down.

The pauper went straight to the trade fair quite happy that he was able to serve the princess.

To be continued…

Chapter Five: The Anniversary

Chapter Five

The Anniversary

The pauper learned of Alythia’s anniversary in one of their discussions a month’s time in the past. He taught of arranging a surprise. He wanted the princess to feel really special. There are other people that could be preparing something but he was not deterred by the possibility that his efforts could be kept back.

The pauper just finished attending an assembly of commoners when he passed by the hallway of the Chamber of Annals. It was the eve of the princess’ anniversary. She appeared cheerless, while holding an archive. He wasn’t expecting to see Alythia in this manner, for he was intending to present a proposal.

He felt awkward but he has to try. He mustered all his courage and strived to remain calm.

“My lady, you look so sad.” Said the pauper, who is still unconfident. “Oh, I’m sorry. Do I look miserable?” The princess responded and tried to smile.

“Do you have something before you for your anniversary?”

“Well, I don’t know.”

“Do you think your friends have something in store for you?”

“I’m not really sure about that.” And she continued with her reading.

“This could be my chance.” He thought. Attempting to utter what he intended to say and not to waste time, he tried to invite the princess to dine with him. Alythia seemed apprehensive at first but the pauper pleaded.

“Please, my lady, you won’t have to bother about spending a single cent.”

“Hmmm... okay, I’ll go with you tomorrow then.”

The pauper left the princess and glanced her smiling at him. He returned to work elated with his fortune. His heart thumped thrice as fast than normal. He felt like walking in fluffy clouds. He is in a daze. He wanted to shout. He wanted to jump. But he tried to keep the thrill inside him.

He was all too grateful to the Great Master. He was jumping in front of the Holy Chambers, still ecstatic just thinking of spending time with Alythia. Then he snapped to a realization that he needs to think how the dinner should go. They are not that intimate of acquaintance to dine exclusively.

“My Master,” he prayed, “I want to be alone with her so that we could converse better and know her well. But it seems to be out of place. There has to be a companion. But who will I take with us? It has to be someone we are comfortable with and someone that could help facilitate a good exchange of words and ideas.”

It is her anniversary already. Even though the princess agreed to dine with the pauper, he was still uncertain and unconfident that the dinner would be realized. But even so, he tried to appear well-groomed. He was ready to whatever will happen.

He saw Alythia unusually beautiful. She was wearing a nice flowing dress. It accentuated her simplicity. He greeted her and she smiled and thanked him in return. He wanted to say how beautiful she was but he stammered. He was enthralled.

It was almost supper. He has to ask the princess to confirm the appointment.

“Uhm... my lady, I... I just want to ask if we will still push on with our dinner.”

Alythia’s countenance suggested that it won’t. But without delay, she invited the pauper to join her and her friends. They would go to the traveling fair of Trycitus. She said that there are various sights to see. There are notable entertainments also. And there is an abundance of delicacies that will satisfy their gastronomic desires.

The pauper’s heart sank but he is not altogether sad. If he would join the princess and her company, he would be safe from any suggestions that he has a particular interest with the princess. But he felt that he’ll be a stranger in the group. Though one of her friends, Freia, is familiar to him because they both came from Acropetros, they really don’t have a good acquaintance with one another.

The group headed to the fair first. The pauper trailed. He struggled. He wanted to go home instead but he is reminded of the firmness of the princess’ invitation. He does not want to fail a royalty, especially someone he esteems so highly.

He reached the fair and tried to locate the group of the princess. It was not that difficult to find them. He was readily welcomed by a warm smile from the celebrant. There were other young men who joined, including Wahrin. Alythia was a fine hostess. The pauper was treated as one of them because of her hospitality.

Alythia’s friends had several commitments to attend. She was left with the pauper. The pauper wanted to leave also but it would be uncaring to the princess. Besides, this was opportune time to have a privy moment with Alythia. They rode a common carriage towards home. The pauper brought her to her lodge. He was astonished how grandiose it appears. They bid each other goodbyes. And he left.

The pauper was in a daze until he reached his humble abode. He is thankful and prayerful.

To be continued…

Chapter Four: Opened Doors

Chapter Four

Opened Doors

It was late summer, the rain poured heavily that day until afternoon. The pauper was taking his rest from a full day’s work when he chanced upon Alythia in the corridors of Shin Manor, Excelion’s center of learning. The princess was in a hurry to get a petition submitted to the executive chamber. But she got there too late. The chamber is already closed.

Noticing the frustration of the princess, the pauper gestured to help in the facilitation of her petition. “Hello, my lady, could I be of service to you?” He opened. “I need to get this to the officer, it’s for my lesson for tomorrow,” the princess replied. He took the manuscript and gave it to the attending officer, Inari. She is one of the pauper’s friends. They would often share the relaxing midday hours to talk just about anything under the sun. Receiving the petition, Inari readily processed it and have it approved, to the delight of the princess.

“Thank you, kind sir.” Alythia appreciated the pauper for the help he made. And she left. He stared the princess until her shadow disappeared in his field of sight. There is still time remaining for work, and the pauper mesmerized by the incident he just experienced was freshly enthused to attend to his task.

There was another occasion that brought a deeper acquaintance between the pauper and Alythia. It was supper. The princess was eating alone in one the tables in Potsherd Tavern. It is not a surprising thing to see her there since she is acquainted with the commoners. The pauper that evening was in a mood to celebrate with his friends. He scanned the room and found no other table that would accommodate his company, except for the table where the princess sat.

“Could we join you in this table, my lady?’’ Asked the pauper. “Yes, certainly.” Said the princess.

His friends thronged the table. They were a merry bunch of commoners. They were so glad that evening that they became unmindful of the princess’ presence. Snapping the apparent indifference, the pauper engaged the princess in a conversation. He inquired of the princess’ interests. They managed to talk even though their voice was often drowned by the shrieks and laughter of their company.

This broke the ice that long held the pauper in communing with Alythia. The doors were flung open.

Overwhelmed with the development and turn of events, the pauper ran to the Holy Chambers of the Great Master. He went there to thank him and to plead for direction.

To be continued…